Sterling Cub Reporter: January 2016

JANUARY 2016

Seeing Double Volume 2 • Issue 4

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January 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 1

NEWS

Briefly Stated

Zero to

Have you ever wondered about all the cool stuff going on around SHS, and then thought of all the unfortunate stuff to happen? Here’s your guide to all the hot, and cold, stuff going on at SHS. The boys basketball team wins the Kingman Eagle Classic for the first time in school history.

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Art teacher and boys basketball coach Derek Schneider finally gets engaged.

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ERIN ANDERSON, a senior at SHS, uses this quote to describe her relief towards not participating in winter athletics. Anderson plays volleyball in the fall and runs track in the spring.

She believes that getting a break in the winter is necessary for her happiness.

GOOD EATS Boys assistant basketball coach and choir director Clark Comley grabs a snack in preparation for their first-round game against the Haven Wildcats at the Kingman Tournament. “My normal game preparation is a Diet Coke and a sandwich, usually from subway,” he said. “I coach better when I’m more prepared and have a full stomach.”

40 Wrestlers cut weight for meets, missing out on real meals.

“Not doing a winter sport is great. I can sit around, do nothing, get fat and not feel bad about myself.”

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(Photo by Veronica Norez)

ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO

Senior cheer caption Hannah Hendricks preforms “Lets Go Bears” during the pre-winter sports pep rally on Dec. 4, 2015. At the pep rally, the cheerleaders and student body honored the senior winter student athletes.

2 • Sterling Cub Reporter • January 2016

(Photo by Grace Rowland)

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Choir, band achieve success at auditions ALEX VELIZ Cub Reporter

Two annual competitions are held each year for both band and choir.

The first one, districts, was held on Dec. 12. The district competition is a mandatory step for those hoping to get into state band or choir.

“It is important for the younger kids to go out for districts, so we can get them into an honor choir,” Choir Director Clark Comley said. “When they get into state it cuts down on people, so districts gives them the opportunity to have that experience. Without districts, they would not have the experience.”

This year 32 people auditioned for district choir and 24 got in.

District band had two auditions, and one got in.

“It is impressive that we got so many choir students in because we have so many people in our district try out this year. They had 800 people try out for 200 spots,” Comley said. “So you’ve got to beat all those people who put some effort in.”

Junior Edward Weiner made it into district band, earning the chance to play with others from around the state who had the same initial goal.

“I enjoy trying out for district band because it is fun to play with other musicians who are at about the same level,” he said. “The concert is fun because, since it is all of the best musicians from the region, we sound really good.”

Senior Holly Davis likes participating in district choir because she feels that it could help gain her experience for state choir.

“You get to meet new people, and you learn new things from different directors and help get a look into different teaching methods,” she said. “All of this will help you further your musical experience in the long run.”

(Photo by Alexias Rose) State debate team members include, from right, seniors Brayden Hossman, Hannah Hendricks, junior Edward Weiner, senior Kaci Wilson, juniors J.J. Oden, Sierra Emery, senior Alex Veliz, and junior Maddie Wagley.

Debate team prepares for state tournament ANNA TUSZYNSKI Cub Reporter

The closing of the fall semester means the biggest debate tournament of the year is right around the corner.

State Debate will take place Jan. 15-16 at Independence Kansas.

Seniors Alex Veliz and Brayden Hosman, junior Edward Weiner, senior Hannah Hendricks, juniors Maddie Wagley, Sierra Emery and JJ Oden, and senior Casey Wilson are all the Black Bear debaters going to State Debate.

Thus far, the debate team has performed well in the various tournaments they have competed in.

Coach Betsy Dutton leads the team.

Sterling, Ks (620) 278-2244 www.aldenst8.com (Photo by Veronica Norez) Members of the flute and clarinet sections of the SHS band perform “The Thirteen Days of Christamss” during the concert on Dec. 14. www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Happy N ew Yea r !

Alden State Bank - Rice County Tab 0629.ai 1/8 pg. 6-29-12 HH, MM ~ The Cub Reporter Staff January 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 3

NEWS

(Courtesy Photo) Pictured above are clay targets such as those that will be used during practice and competition during the Kansas State High School Clay Target League spring season. More than 20 SHS students expressed interest in the club when flyers were posted around the school.

BOE approves entry into Clay Target League LINDSAY GILMORE Cub Reporter

This year the Kansas State High School Clay Target League is entering its inaugural year, and Sterling High School, along with six other teams already in the league — including Andover, Wellington, Wichita Collegiate, Nickerson and Cedar Vale — will become part of the league.

Over 50 other schools, including Lyons and Chase, have also expressed interest in joining.

Discussion surrounding entering the league, although put into action by teachers, was student driven.

“It’s not a teacher’s vision. This is a student driven activity. Students approached us about starting a league, and we saw this as an opportunity to reach some students who maybe weren’t involved in extracurricular activities such as traditional sports, drama, music, et cetera,” physical education teacher Jill Rowland said. “We were looking for an opportunity to reach kids, and now we’re going to do that through the clay target league.”

While anyone is welcome to join the team, the KSHSCTL requires all of its participants to earn a state-issued firearms safety or hunter education certificate before they can compete.

“You can take the class through Rowland’s lifetime activities class in the spring, or I will teach one for the community in the spring,” Dennis Vincent said. “So there are going to be two classes, one through the school and one in the community, if they are wanting to participate they will have an opportunity to pass hunter education.”

4 • Sterling Cub Reporter • January 2016

Vincent is a substitute teacher in the district, a certfied hunter’s safety instructor and one of many people essential in bringing the Clay Target Club to life.

As far as coaching goes, the league does not have any special requirements, and the SHS administration seems poised to appoint Vincent to the trap shooting club’s head coaching position.

“Mr. Vincent is probably going to be the leader of this.

He is the one that does all of the gun safety stuff, and he’s connected to all of the people that are going to be involved in helping our kids through those different tournaments,” athletic director and principal Dr. Bill Anderson said.

Many students that are avid hunters and marksmen, as well as those that are not involved in other extracurricular activities, have expressed great interest in the program.

“I want to be in an extracurricular activity, and I love to shoot,” senior Caleb Murphy said. “I’d like to be a part of the team and have fun with it.”

The club was not actually approved until the USD 376 School Board meeting on Dec. 14, when a unanimous decision brought entry into the KSHSCTL a definite action.

“The board was assured that there would be no firearms or ammunition on school property, and they had some questions about the cost. We told them that we are planning to cover the cost with sponsors and fundraisers and things of that nature,” Vincent said. “One board member even said he would like to come shoot with the team.”

The SHS chapter of the league plans to begin practices at the beginning of March, and then begin five weeks of tournaments in April. www.sterlingcubreporter.com

(Photo by Kylah Comley) Senior McKenzie Thrasher recites lines at rehearsal for the Winter show, “The Amish Project,” while director Betsy Dutton provides insight for her character, Sherry Local. “I like how calm the practices are so far this year,” Thrasher said. “No one seems to be stressing yet, which is great.”

Seniors to be featured in upcoming shows KYLAH COMLEY Cub Reporter Whenever the curtains are drawn in the Sterling Theatre many expectations follow. This will be no different for the upcoming Winter and Spring plays.

SHS will be presenting “The Amish Project” on Jan. 29 and 30, directed by Betsy Dutton, for the Winter play. “Miss Nelson is Missing” and “That’s Not How I Remember It,” both directed by Rebekah Wagley and showing Mar. 31 and April 2, will the be Spring plays.

“I definitely think that SHS has a tradition of good plays and theater productions,” senior Julie Carroll said. “Because of the tradition, everyone expects them too be good, and that expectation causes people to make it be good.”

“The Amish Project” is a fictional exploration of the Nickel Mines schoolhouse shooting in an Amish community and the path of forgiveness and compassion forged in its wake.

“We were looking for a drama because the seniors have mainly been in comedies,” Dutton said. “It’s also a small cast and is a very good fit for the seniors. It features some who haven’t had big roles before, and that’s really exciting for them.”

“Miss Nelson is Missing” is a comedic show about students who don’t show a shred of respect for their good-natured teacher, Miss Nelson, but when the witchy substitute, Miss Viola Swamp, appears on the scene, they start to regret their own wicked ways.

“This is the first show that I will direct at Sterling,” Wagley said. “I miss directing and am really excited for this show. It’s really neat to be able to work with such a small cast. We become a little family or team.”

“That’s Not How I Remember It” is a one-act about how a husband and wife met in 1986 and that being the best year

of their lives. However, they have different versions of how their love story began.

“I think students should come see the show because the script is a really funny read,” the female lead, junior Niki Dowell said. “I’ve had Beckah and Spencer as directors before, and they’re good at getting comedy out of people.”

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January 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 5

FEATURE

(Photo by Alexias Rose) Freshmen Lydia and Zoe Miller act as if they are strangling each other. “We fight a lot. It gets very violent,” Zoe said. “I think it worries people.”

Twinning at Sterling

Sterling twins share experiences of being in pairs DALLAS LACKEY Cub Reporter

M

ost people want to have children at some point in their lifetime. In fact, only 6 percent of Americans between ages 1840 do not have children, and don’t plan on having any. Nearly 75 percent of Americans have offspring, but only 3.3 percent of children born in the United States are twins.

At Sterling High School, there are three pairs of twins. Two sets in the freshmen class alone.

Freshman Zoe and Lydia Miller are the only twins at SHS who are both of the same gender.

“People make it a seem like a big deal that we are twins,” Lydia said, “which gets annoying because I don’t think we look that much alike.”

While not all twins are identical twins, the ones who are seem to have 6 • Sterling Cub Reporter • January 2016

an unofficial standard for them.

“People definitely assume and expect us to be close,” Zoe said. “Mostly because everyone is like ‘it would be so much fun to have a twin,’ and it isn’t always like that.”

It is usually assumed that most

to your twin,” freshman Kaine Eidson said. “Just growing up with them and always being there for each other, you get much closer than normal siblings.”

However, there are still the little things that get to twins, that might not be a problem for normal siblings.

“I love being the older twin. I am 50 minutes older, so I can say, ‘when I was your age,’ then I tell her whatever it was I was doing 50 minutes earlier.”

— Lydia Miller, freshman people are naturally close to their siblings, and it seems to be no different for twins.

“There’s a different level of closeness

“I always wonder what it would be like to have a birthday to myself,” sophomore Camille Schweizer said. “It hasn’t ever started any problems, but I www.sterlingcubreporter.com

still wonder.”

No matter the situation or the problems, the ability to accept being twins is all a choice.

“It is really nice to always have someone there for you,” freshman Kiley Eidson said. “Just to know they will always be close to you in school and there for you is a great feeling.”

When most people think of twins, they tend to be consistently categorized together, and Zoe agrees.

“It kind of gets annoying,” she said.

“Everyone is like ‘you guys are basically the same person because your twins,” and with some people that may be, but we just share looks.”

Some twins don’t worry about being categorized together most of the time.

“In some instances it happens,” Camille said. “But we have different interests, so it never really bugs us.”

Camille’s twin brother John agreed.

“I think most people do a good job separating us,” he said. “The only thing close to that problem is we do have to share a lot, mostly because of age, not because we are twins.”

While some twins would get upset about constantly being labeled together, others embrace it.

“We try to really embrace it,” Kaine said. “It’s nice to always be there for each other.”

It is very common to have to share with your siblings, it’s just something most people have to do, especially twins.

“We have to share everything,” Lydia said. “From clothes to friends, it gets old. Even though we try to not have to.”

While some things siblings have to share are small, others are much bigger and more significant.

“Depending on the family, most twins will have to share cars, since they are the same age, and I don’t like the idea of doing that through high school,” John said.

In America, 57 percent of people believe in telepathy. Telepathy is communication through something other than our known senses.

“I get asked a lot if we can like read each other's mind, and it gets really annoying because I wish we could do www.sterlingcubreporter.com

(Photo by Alexias Rose) Freshmen Kaine and Kiley Eidson act silly for a picture. “It just depends on the day,” Kaine said. “We aren’t really that silly with each other.”

that,” John said.

As there is no proof that telepathy is real, it is something people will continue to believe is possible.

“I’m glad we can’t do that,” Zoe said. “It would get annoying always listening to her thoughts.”

Regardless, it seems that the thought of telepathy is a typical thing, “I think it would be so cool if we could do that,” John said. “That would be a real connection.”

Through all the fun times, and the rough ones, most siblings will always try to help each other.

“We help each other a lot,” Camille said. “Mostly with homework, but we can count on each other to help with anything.”

In high school it would be considered nice to have someone who is always there with you through it all.

“We will always be there to help each other through problems,” Kaine said. “It’s just something we have that most other siblings probably don’t.”

A common question twins get asked is, “Which one of you is the older one?” That seems to lead to some bragging rights.

“When we were younger, John was always really mean to me and against me on everything, just because he is the older one,” Camille said. “As we get older, it’s not a big deal, which is really nice, but for a while it was pretty bad.”

Other twins, such as the Miller twins, try to use it to their advantage.

January 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 7

“I love being the older twin,” Lydia said. “I am 50 minutes older, so I can say, ‘when I was your age,’ then I tell her whatever it was I was doing 50 minutes earlier.”

Whether you have a twin, or just a normal brother or sister, the bond between siblings isn’t always there for the average person.

“I hope other people are as close as we are,” Kaine said.

“It really is nice, and I feel bad for siblings who are not close like that.”

(Photo by Alexias Rose) The Miller twins laugh while trying to take a photo.

“We’re goofy like this all the time,” Lydia said.

There’s a SIMPLER WAY. AUTO | HOME | LIFE

(Photo by Allexias Rose) Sophomore Camille Schweizer carries brother John on her back.

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January 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 9

NEWS

People look to improve in new year ALEXIAS ROSE Cub Reporter Even though the new year could possibly be exciting and full of new opportunities, it can also be considered stressful. As the new year begins, many people will be trying to achieve their New Year’s resolutions.

“I think it’s important to resolve. I want to be in classrooms more than I am now,” principal Dr. Bill Anderson said. “I think it’d give a sense of comfort and closeness.”

Throughout the school there are many people, students and staff who are embracing their New Year’s resolutions.

“I would say I am continuously trying to be more disciplined in exercising, eating healthy and studying,” math teacher Robin Webb said. “I am continuously trying to be more diligent in my grading.”

Anything that is self or economically improving can be a resolution. Common New Year’s resolutions are to lose weight, get organized, spend less money or save money, and spend more time with family.

“My New Year’s resolution is to smile more,” senior Nichole Holliday said. “I know it’s super cheesy, but when life gets hard, I’m going to try to smile more. Sometimes I

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10 • Sterling Cub Reporter • January 2016

“One of my personal resolutions is to read more.”­­­­­­­­­­­­ ­­­ —principal Dr. Bill Anderson

“My new year’s resolution is to smile more.”

—senior Nicholle Holliday

“I am continuously trying to be more diligent in my grading.”­­ —­math teacher Robin Webb get so wrapped up in the ugliness of the world that I forget to appreciate the little details that do make me happy.”

Many people use New Year’s resolutions as a way to catch up on the things they’ve been neglecting.

“One of my personal resolutions is to read more,” Anderson said. “A couple teachers have given me books on their teaching, and I want to read them to see what’s going on in our classrooms. I think that’s one thing a principal should be focused on doing.”

The majority of people don’t follow through with the resolutions they’ve made. In fact, about 68 percent of Americans have “forgotten” their resolutions by springtime.

“I’ve probably never set an actual New Year’s resolution each year,” Webb said. “I try to keep them continual that way I stick to them more.”

Others believe that New Year’s resolutions are a waste of time.

“I think people hope to better themselves,” senior Shelby Schroeder said. “But it’s really hard to change who you are overnight.”

Overall, the new year offers a chance for people to pick up good habits and start bettering their lives, whether they choose to do that or not is their own choice.

“I think creating New Year’s resolutions is definitely a positive thing to do,” Holliday said. “I’ve done them in the past, and I’ve been able to see the different results each resoltion has. I try to create new resolutions each year just so I can continue to better myself and the people around me.” www.sterlingcubreporter.com

EDITORIAL

Unforced faith

S

terling, Kansas. A quaint town playing host to numerous churches. Religion, specifically Christianity, reigns supreme. There’s even a Christian college in town. To say Jesus is an important part of this community is a bit of an understatement.

That’s why, when we heard rumblings of rumors concerning community members being upset about alleged violation of Constitutional guaranteed separations of Church and State, it got us thinking.

Sure, it’s not very rare to hear religion being talked about in the USD 376 school system. At the grade school, hearing songs from the popular children’s show “Veggie Tales” will happen from time to time. And although it is most associated with being a Christian program, it has great educational value and teaches youth right from wrong, along with some Christian morals thrown in.

Also, at the high school, one shouldn’t be shocked to hear a coach praying before sports practice. Likewise, you will hear a student recite a prayer before graduation, and see students post social media updates saying, “Thank God I’m A Black Bear,” which has become the unofficial motto of the school year.

All of this might seem like a very clear violation of the laws separating Church and State. We disagree.

No one is forcing students to wear T-shirts thanking God for being in Sterling, and when it comes time to pray, there is no rule stating all must bow their heads.

As journalists, we hold the First Amendment in high regard. Religion, free speech and a free press are all protected by this portion of the Bill of Rights. If someone feels there is a violation of any Constitutionally guaranteed right, then he or she has the responsibility to speak out.

However, he or she must fully understand the right.

The point of this law wasn’t to keep religion away, it was to avoid a State-mandated religion and allow each individual to worship, or not worship, as he or she saw fit.

Sterling isn’t forcing anyone to take part in any display of religion. In every instance, proclamations of religious faith are individually led, and until religion is forced upon the student body, there is nothing wrong happening.

—The Editorial Board The Sterling High School Cub Reporter and all subsidiary publications are designated forums of free speech.

The print edition is published October through May of each school year by the journalism class at Sterling High School. It is distributed for no charge throughout Unified School District 376 buildings and the Sterling community.

The first copy is free. Subsequent copies will cost $1 per copy. For information about being added to the subscription list, contact Todd Vogts at 620-278-2171. Letters to the editor are welcome. Email them to editor@sterlingstudentpublications.com. All letters must be signed. Anonymous letters will not be printed. All letters subject to editing for legal, grammatical and factual reasons.

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Overcoming barriers Everyone will travel their own path through life. Right now we are all on the same path — high school. High School is about learning all that you can, and harnessing that knowledge for good, and as I’ve learned, it’s also about figuring out who you are. Most of us excel in the learning aspect, but we’ve probably had quite a rough time finding ourselves.

ALEXIAS ROSE There isn’t a manual for finding yourself. Trust me, if there was, I would own it and have the key points highlighted.

Throughout your entire life there will be barriers, or conflicts, such as peer pressure or self-sabotage, that hold you back from finding yourself.

One of my barriers is the thought of my future. I get so caught up in worrying about it that I never have time to enjoy what’s happening now, which is harmful in the longrun. You see? Even now I’m worrying about it.

We all have different barriers we face, but I believe, in the greater scheme of things, they’re virtually the same.

Different people have different ways of dealing with these conflicts — some people ignore them and move on, some suffer from them, and some just accept them and use them for future reference.

So far, throughout my three years of high school, I have learned to embrace the faults that make me who I am. I believe I’ve benefitted from these faults, and I know more about myself now than ever before. Everyone has different faults they struggle with, and, no matter what, you can overcome them. I am content with myself now, but that doesn’t mean I’m not constantly striving to be better in any way possible.

We are all striving for something every minute of the day, whether we realize it or not. Make it something that’s worthwhile.

Sterling High School

CUB REPORTER

& www.sterlingstudentpublications.com 308 E. Washington, Sterling, KS 67579 Phone: 620-278-2171 • Fax: 620-278-3237

STAFF Editor-In-Chief: Kylah Comley Reporters: Alex Veliz, Lindsay Gilmore, Dallas Lackey, Lexi Rose, Anna Tuszynski

ADVISER Todd Vogts

ADVERTISING SALES Student Publications Staff

GRAPHIC ARTISTS SHS Graphic Design Class

January 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 11

SPORTS

Boys basketball takes Kingman Tournament KYLAH COMLEY Cub Reporter The Black Bear boys basketball team has started the season off hot, going 4-0 and winning the Kingman Eagle Classic for the first time.

Prior to the pre-season tournament, the Black Bears defeated 2A ranked Berean Academy in their season opener.

“Berean was just an all around good team. They were very athletic and disciplined. The toughest part about the game was to figure out our strengths and weaknesses,” junior Brady Ochs said. “The energy coming from the student section is what gave me, and I’m sure the rest of the guys, the drive to finish the game.”

The Bears defeated Haven 63-59 in overtime of the first round of the Kingman tournament. During their final game of pool play, the Bears beat Sunrise Academy 75-65, led by sophomore Lucas Briar with 27 points.

“I was more anxious than nervous to play Sunrise,” Briar said. “It was really exciting though to play that well.

My teammates played really well with me and I just converted my opportunities, it was a great team win.”

After beating Conway Springs by four in the championship game, the Bears were looking to go into Christmas break undefeated.

“I think that winning the tournament helps give momentum to the guys. It’s all a matter of execution. If we execute, the win will take care of itself,” head coach Derek Schneider said. “I think that we can continue to improve throughout the year and play really good basketball. I’m excited to see how high our potential can grow the more we improve.”

(Photo by Veronica Norez) Members of the boys basketball team celebrate as they take their first lead of the championship game against Conway Springs.

12 • Sterling Cub Reporter • January 2016

(Photo by Baylee Maskill) Senior Sydney Wilson sets up a block against their opponent the Wellington Crusaders.

Girls basketball off to winning start ALEX VELIZ Cub Reporter

The girls basketball team has been preparing for this season before their first game even started. With a record of 5-1 to start the season, their preparation has been paying off.

“The practices have been really difficult, which is really important because we play a very up-tempo game,” senior Sydney Wilson senior said. “It gives us that mind-set that in order to win games we have to push the tempo, and because of that we are going to work hard and condition hard.”

Senior Keena Schweizer believes the team needs improvement on a more technical level while on the court and during practice.

“We are a bit rough around the edges. We also need to finish stronger,” she said.

Head coach of the girls basketball team, Jill Rowland, is looking to improve the team after the team’s first lost to Wellington at the Kingman Invitational.

“We had a pretty good tournament. We are coming down from that 56-52 loss from Wellington. We don’t enjoy losing, so we are going to get back to work and back to practice,” Rowland said. “We need to improve in eliminating turnovers, handling the ball better and becoming a better team defensively.”

Senior Emma Lambert also hopes to see the team improve in the near future to help finish out the season strong.

“In the game, we couldn’t finish. We’re hoping to come out in our coming games with energy and intensity, and I am hoping I will step up my leadership role,” she said. www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Sterling Invitational requires effort from many people ALEX VELIZ Cub Reporter Annually, Sterling hosts a basketball invitational in the month of January to help bring together the community and the high school basketball teams alike.

“People come into town, and, now that the girls are here too, we have 14 teams that are going to come spend money here at Sterling,” said boys basketball coach Derek Schneider. “For the school it is good for everyone to see our nice facilities, and the college likes it because they can kind of use it as a recruiting tool.”

Head girls basketball coach Jill Rowland has gotten some positive feedback from the team with some of the changes that have been made.

“One of the changes are that the championship game will be played at the college, and my girls are excited about the possibility of playing up there,” Rowland said. “It will give the tournament a more connected feel because having both championships at the college will make it feel like a more unified tournament.”

The tournament also brings strong competition to the brackets that makes for one of the most competitive invitationals.

“Last year, we had one of the best mid-season tournaments in the state, not just the area. Our eighth seed was ten and two, so everyone we faced had a winning record going in,” Rowland said.

Before the tournament can even begin, a lot of work goes into bringing this invitational together.

“I have had great people around me to help set the invitational up, but I am in charge of making sure that the schools are contracted and the spots are filled,” said Sterling invitational activity coordinator Mackenzie Flickinger. “I also do the day-to-day stuff, like having enough workers and officials as time gets closer to the tournament.”

Journalism teacher Todd Vogts has helped revamp the program for this year’s invitational.

“I think the product that we put together serves the patrons of the tournmanet very well,” Vogts said. “It is a high-quality keepsake they can hold onto as a memento of their sons and daughters taking part in this event.”

Senior Sarah Stallings wants to do well in the tournament with a mindset of being a good representative for the town of Sterling.

“We have our own tournament, so we want to represent the town well and hopefully bring home our own trophy,” she said.

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107 N. Broadway, Sterling January 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 13

INFOGRAPHIC

What are

As we walk through the hallways, we tend to notice specific things about the people around us, whether it’s their hair, or the jacket they are wearing that day. However, has your attention ever been drawn to someone’s shoes?

Whether it’s for the good or the bad, here are the shoes at SHS that simply make us say, “What are those!?”

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*100 students interviewed 14 • Sterling Cub Reporter • January 2016

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

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Accord ing Kevin D to Business In s urant b rings in ider, estimat an ed $175 m in reven i ue for N llion ike each year.

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www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Only 38 % said the of students se shoes are hot.

January 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 15

ENTERTAINMENT NOTE: Killer Serial Fiction is a part of Sterling Student Publications. It is the home of creative writing by Sterling High School creative writing students.

Stories appearing here are works of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. These stories are presented for entertainment purposes only and are not intended to be read as being part of Sterling Student Publications news coverage. For more stories, visit www.sterlingstudentpublications.com/fiction.

Nowhere in Particular

BY TAYLOR PETZ It’s a bump in the road that wakes me.

A bump in the road is what shakes my body, sparks my mind and jolts me from my mindless slumber.

The first thing I remember is the flickering light at the front of the bus. It’s quickly turning on and off, over and over again, unable to make up its mind if it wants to continue its sad life of lighting up the five feet wide space. The bus smells of cigarette smoke, body odor, and beef jerky. I pull my shirt up to my nose, hoping to block out the awful smell.

The second thing I remember is how I got here. I don’t know where we are headed, but I know where we started.

My feet were moving at a fast pace, squishing in the wet grass. I didn’t look back, and I didn’t want to. Everything I was leaving behind was now the past. That’s what it would always be. That’s what it was meant to be. My bag on my back, filled with only necessary items, became heavier the further I ran.

I ran a few blocks to the nearest city bus station. I only got there in time to quickly jump on the bus, as it was beginning to pull away. I climbed up the steps looking up at the driver.

She gave me an odd look but didn’t question me. I paid her and quickly found a seat.

I looked around and realized that I was the only passenger on the bus. I mindlessly removed my bag and laid my head against the window, my breathing still heavy from all of the running. Tired, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

And this is where my journey begins, to nowhere in particular.

You know what they say about running away. We are afraid to be in trouble. Trouble, as in a crisis we want to escape to avoid severe punishment, whether it was our fault or not. But, for me, I’m running to find the life I’ve always wanted. The life I’ve always dreamed about. The life no one would let me live back home. So, the night I climbed out of my window, I decided to head for the bus stop, and travel around the world.

Our first stop was in Seattle. I walked around the streets and looked up at all of the buildings in amazement. The beautiful city was surrounded with water, mountains, and evergreen trees. After touring the city, I found my way back to the bus stop and continued my journey. I found a seat near the back, and sat down.

The cold winter air had fogged up the bus windows. I 16 • Sterling Cub Reporter • January 2016

took my finger and drew an ordinary house, imagining it as the house that used to be mine.

The house that I used to call home. The house that holds my secrets and belongings I left behind. Using my jacket sleeve, I wiped my thoughts away.

I looked over when a small old woman sat down beside me. She had piercing blue eyes and long, gray, braided hair.

She asked me where I was headed. So I told her nowhere.

Anywhere. I admitted that I wasn’t really sure. She glanced up at me, then back down at her twiddling thumbs like she was lost in thought.

We sat in silence for awhile, the woman keeping her focus down. After a while she asked why I left home. I didn’t quite know how to answer her question, so I just told her that I wanted to find myself in this world. She nodded along as if she knew exactly what I was talking about.

As I sat there thinking I was making the right choice with my life, she began to tell me a story about herself that was very similar to mine. She told me how she ran away from home when she was sixteen so she could find her purpose in life, much like I was. The lady told me at first how she was happy with the new life she had chosen. But, as a year flew by, she had nothing. No place to live, no job, and no money. She became lonely and afraid.

I didn’t want to regret my decision. I wanted to be brave.

I have always been so independent that I thought I could do this.

But the more she spoke, the more frightened I became.

When the bus came to a halt, the woman stood up and began to walk away. I sat there confused.

Why would she tell me her story, and then just leave? But, before she stepped off the bus, she turned back to me and said, “Running away from your problems is a race you will never win, my dear.”

It was a bump in the road that changed my life forever.

The cold winter air fogged up the bus windows. I took my finger and drew an ordinary house, imagining it as the house that used to be mine. The house that I used to call home. The house that holds my secrets and belongings I left behind. Using my jacket sleeve, I wiped my thoughts away. www.sterlingcubreporter.com